[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Buchanan 8-17-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-03. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to ensure that the Town of Buchanan
will be prepared to cope with emergencies resulting from enemy action
and natural or man-made disasters by establishing an organization
for emergency management. It is further declared to be the purpose
of this chapter that all emergency management functions of the Town
of Buchanan be coordinated to the maximum extent practicable with
existing services and facilities of the Town and with comparable functions
of the federal, state and county government and other political subdivisions,
as well as various private agencies to the end that the most effective
preparation and use may be made of manpower, resources and facilities
for dealing with any disaster that may occur.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
The preparation for and carrying out of all emergency functions,
other than functions for which the military forces are primarily responsible,
to minimize injury and damage resulting from disaster caused by enemy
attack, sabotage or other hostile action or by fire, flood or other
natural causes.
Chapter 323 of the Wisconsin Statutes is herein incorporated
in this chapter by reference.
A.
Appointment. The position of Emergency Management Services Coordinator
shall be the Town's Head of Emergency Management Services and
serve as the Emergency Management Director, as specified in § 323.15,
Wis. Stats. The Emergency Management Services Coordinator shall be
appointed by the Town Board and shall have an indefinite term of office.
B.
Deputy and assistant directors. Deputy and assistant directors may
be appointed by the Director, subject to the approval of the Town
Board, as may be deemed necessary.
C.
Powers and duties. The Director shall be the executive head of the
Town emergency management organization and shall have direct responsibility
for the organization, administration and operation of the organization,
subject to the direction and control of the Town Board. In addition
to such powers and responsibilities as may be imposed on the Director
from time to time by the Town Board, the Director shall have the authority
and it shall be his or her duty to:
(1)
Coordinate all activities for emergency management within the Town.
(2)
Maintain liaison and cooperate with emergency management agencies
and organizations of other political subdivisions and of the state
and federal government.
(3)
Participate in county and state emergency management activities upon
request.
(4)
Prepare a comprehensive general plan for the emergency management
of the Town and present such plan to the Town Board for approval.
(5)
Subject to the approval of the Town Board, enter into mutual aid
agreements with other political subdivisions and file copies of any
such agreements with the State Director of Emergency Management.
(6)
Upon declaration of an emergency, issue all necessary proclamations
as to the existence of such state of emergency and such disaster warnings
or alerts as shall be required in the emergency operations plan.
In preparing and executing the emergency operations plan, the
Director shall utilize the services, equipment, supplies and facilities
of the existing departments and agencies of the Town to the maximum
extent practicable. When the Town Board has approved the plan, all
municipal agencies and departments of the Town shall perform the duties
and functions assigned by the approved plan.
The Emergency Management Organization shall take action in accordance
with the emergency operations plan only after the declaration of an
emergency and issuance of official disaster warnings. Declaration
of emergency shall be made by the Governor, the Town Board, Town Board
Chairperson or, in his or her absence, the Director. Such state of
emergency shall continue until terminated by the issuing authority,
provided that any declaration not issued by the Governor may be terminated
by the Town Board.
Whenever necessary to meet an emergency for which adequate regulations
have not been adopted by the Town Board, the Emergency Management
Director and, in his or her absence, the Town Board Chairperson may
proclaim, promulgate and enforce orders, rules and regulations relating
to the conduct of persons and the use of property which are necessary
to protect the public peace, health and safety and preserve lives
and property and to ensure cooperation in emergency management activities.
Such proclamations shall be posted in three public places and may
be rescinded by resolution of the Town Board.
It shall be unlawful for any person willfully to obstruct, hinder
or delay any member of the emergency management organization in the
enforcement of any order, rule, regulation or plan issued pursuant
to this chapter or to do any act forbidden by any order, rule, regulation
or plan issued pursuant to authority contained in this chapter. For
a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, he or she shall
forfeit not less than $100 nor more than $500, and in default of payment
thereof shall be imprisoned in the county jail for a period not exceeding
90 days.
